Garment press



0d. 27, 1970 v w, TUCKER EVAL 3,535,802

GARMENT PRESS ATTO R N EYS 0d. 27, 1970 v, w. TUCKER ET AL 3,535,802

GARMENT PRESS Filed Jan. 14, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

FIG. 5.

INVENTORS I//MCf/Vfl. Z'Wck( somma mouL BYomweL cH/ro/v United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A garment press having non-pressure vessel upper and lower heads. The lower head is a shell whose opening is covered with a perforated metal plate on top of which is placed a pressing pad. The upper head can be lowered such that its pressing surface (a flexible screen) bears against a garment on the pressing pad. A heating coil underneath the perforated metal plate maintains the plate at an elevated temperature. The press is operated at a pressure and temperature sutciently low so as to prevent injury to an operator even if he inadvertently places his hand between the heads. Steam is introduced into the lower shell for traveling up through the perforated metal plate and the pressing pad to the garment. The outer rim f of the upper head is larger than that of the pressing pad so that, after the steam is cut off and while the upper head bears against the pressing pad, air can be sucked in through the marginal rim of the screen, the garment and the pressing pad in order to dry the garment.

This invention relates to garment presses, and more particularly to a garment press which is operated at low pressure and low temperature.

In a conventional garment press, upper and lower heads are provided. Both heads are generally heated pressure vessels. To apply adequate pressure to the garment, a force multiplying leverage system is usually incorporated in the machine for lowering the upper head.

There are many disadvantages with this prior art type press. A great amount of heat is generated, creating con siderable discomfort to the machine operator. Also, without continued caution the operator can be injured, the most obvious example being the inadvertent placing of a hand on the lower head followed by the lowering of the upper head. The great pressure with which the upper head is usually lowered adds to the expense of the overall press as a result of the provision of a force multiplying leverage system. Another source of expense is the need to machine the two heads with dimensional control so that the pressing effort is equalized over the entire surface of the garment. Still another source of great expense is the fact that both the upper and lower heads are pressure vessels.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages of prior art garment presses.

Briefly, in accordance with the prinicples of our invention, the upper head is very lightweight. It does not include a pressure vessel. It is passive in that provision is not made for steaming and drawing vacuum. (The word passive in the claims characterizes an upper head in which provision is made for neither steaming nor drawing vacuum.) The upper head includes a pressing surface, e.g., a. metal screen, foam rubber or fabric padding covered with cloth, for bearing down against the lower head. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the upper head is a shell, across the mouth of which there is placed a metal screen for bearing against and restraining a garment placed on the lower head when the press is operated.

The lower head comprises a lightweight shell, the mouth of which is covered with a perforated metal plate. The

plate is in turn covered with a conventional pressing pad. Directly below the undersurface of the perforated metal plate is a heating coil for heating the plate. The heating coil is preferably fastened to the plate for the best possible heat transfer. Below this coil, and within the lower shell, is a perforated tube through which steam is admitted to the shell chamber.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the outer rim of the lower head is contained within the outer rim of the upper head, that is, the rim of the upper head is larger than that of the lower head. The marginal area of the upper head communicates with the atmosphere so that when the pressure inside the lower shell is decreased air is drawn from the atmosphere into the chamber of the lower shell. It is also possible to include openings in the upper head shell (or any other structure which is used for supporting the upper pressing surface) to allow air to be drawn through the upper pressing surface to the lower shell.

In operation, a garment is placed on the pressing pad of the iower head. The heating coil under the perforated metal plate results in the warming of the garment. Steam is introduced into the lower shell while the upper head is still raised so that the operator can straighten a badly wrinkled garment. After the garment is straightened, the upper head is lowered and steam is released in the lower head to press the garment. Thereafter, the chamber of the lower shell is connected to a vacuum source while the upper head is still lowered, and air is drawn through the marginal rim of the upper head to dry the garment as it flo-ws through the garment. The upper head is then raised while the lower head is still connected to the vacuum source; this prevents lifting of the garment and any possible distortion as the heads are separated.

This arrangement overcomes all of the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art garment press. There is minimal discomfort to the operator. Since the upper head is kept cool, the only source of heat is the heating coil directly below the perforated plate on the lower shell. The only hot surface is the perforated plate, which is covered by padding. There is no appreciable heat radiated t0 the operator. The press is also very safe to use. Because the upper head is lowered with relatively little pressure, the hand of an operator should not be injured if it is placed between the two heads. Even if steam is released while the operators hand is between the two closed heads, the low pressure permits the operator to quickly withdraw his hand without having to first raise the upper head, thereby avoiding any possible burn which might otherwise result from the steam. And the small amount of radiated heat prevents a burn if the operator places and leaves his hand on the pressing pad for a few seconds (assuming that steam is not released while his hand remains on the pad). A machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention was found to press garments satisfactorily despite these safety features. (The low pressure and ilow temperature which characterize these aspects of the invention are those which result in the satisfactory operation of the machine without njury to the operator in the circumstances described.)

The garment press of the invention is also relatively inexpensive from a manufacturing standpoint. Because the upper head is lowered with relatively little pressure there is no need for a force multiplying leverage system. Pressure vessel requirements are eliminated for the upper and lower heads. Nor is precise contouring of the two heads required. The pressing surface on the upper head, eg., a metal screen, is relatively liexible and it deflects in local areas. This not only results in a more intimate contact between the upper and lower press heads over their pressing surfaces, it also makes it unnecessary for precise contouring of the heads.

aaasoa A machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention has been found particularly advantageous for use with permanent press fabrics. Low temperature saturated steam released in the lower head prevents heat distortion and wrinkling of synthetic garments, yet allows the softening action by the moisture to take place. The low temperatures used increase the life of the padding. It is also anticipated that because the danger of injury to the operator is so slight it will be possible to provide such a machine in coin-operated laundries for use by the public. The press of the invention should also find widespread use in the garment manufacturing industry. There, matched sets of press heads with rather severe contour changes are generally needed to press certain parts of a garment. But in accordance with the principles of the invention a lower press head can be constructed with the proper contour while the upper pressing head surface need be merely a screen (of metal, plastic, or even a fabric) which when carried into the pressing position conforms intimately with varying contours of the lower press head. Also, special lower bucks are easier to make because there are no pressure vessel requirements.

Further objects, features and advantages of our invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a side view. partly broken away, of a garment press constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower part of the press, showing the three foot pedals;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through the upper and lower heads of the press;

FIG. 4 is a top View, partly broken away, of the lower head: and

FIG. 5 symbolically depicts the screen on the upper head.

Referring to FIG. l, the two heads and 12 are shown in their open position. The upper head includes a hollow shell 14 (typically made of fiber glass and resin) with a covering screen 16 (shown most clearly in FIG. 5). Shell 14 is mounted on arm 18 which is hinged at 30 to base 48. The lower end of the arrn is hinged at 36 to piston 34 which extends into closing cylinder 32. When foot pedal S0 is operated, the closing cylinder forces piston 34 to be pushed out and arm 18 to be moved to the position shown in phantom, with screen 16 bearing against a garment (not shown) on padding 20.

Link 46 is hinged at 38 to bracket 62 on arm 18. The other end of the link is connected to an end of link 44. 'The other end of this link is coupled to hydraulic check 42. Such an arrangement, well known to those skilled in the art. serves to smooth the pressing action. Counterbalance spring 40. connected at one end to bracket 62 and at the other end to lug 60 at the lower part of base 48, serves to restore arm 18 to the open position as shown in the drawing when foot pedal 50 is released by the operator. (Alternatively, a cushioned double acting cylinder can be employed in which case the hydraulic check and linkage are not necessary.)

The lower head 12 is comprised of a hollow post 76 and another shell 66, with pressing pad 20 being placed on top of the shell.

FIG. 2 shows the three foot pedals 50, 52 and 54 at the bottom of base 48 of the press. Foot pedal 50, when operated, controls the closing of the press as described above. Foot pedal 52, when operated, controls the emission of steam into the lower shell as will be described below. Foot pedal 54, when operated, connects the interior of the lower shell to a vacuum source for drawing air through the rim of the upper shell to dry the garment while the two heads bear against each other. The operations of such lfoot pedals and the mechanisms they control will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of both the upper and lower heads. The upper head is simply a hollow shell 14 whose mouth is covered by screen 16. The upper shell can be connected to arm 18 by two posts 64 as shown.

The lower head consists of a shell 66, made of a similar material as the upper shell, mounted on post 76. Tubing 68 extends to a vacuum source so that when foot pedal 54 (FIG. 2) is operated air is drawn through the garment into the lower shell. The rim of the upper shell is larger than the rim of the lower shell so that even in the closed position air can flow up through the marginal area of screen 16 and then down through padding 20, the garment and perforated plate 74 into the lower shell 66. At the bottom of the lower shell is tubing 70 through which steam is admitted to the chamber, as is known in the art, with the operation of foot pedal 52. Shell 66 is covered by a perforated metal plate 74. Directly below the plate, in heat exchanging relation therewith, is a fastened heating coil 72 which maintains the plate in a constantly heated condition. Covering the perforated plate 74 is the pressing pad 20.

The arrangement of the various elements within shell 66 is shown most clearly in FIG. 4. At the right side of the ligure there is shown a section of padding 20. Directly to the left of the padding (shown broken away) there is a portion of perforated plate 74. The plate is attached to shell 66 by a series of screws 78. Directly below the perforated plate is steam heating coil 72. The heating coil enters the lower part of shell 66 through two holes 84 and 86, and then winds its way around the undersurface of the perforated plate so that uniform heating of the plate is achieved. The heating coil can be operated in any of many well known fways. Below the heating coil is tubing 70 which is extended to the steam source through a hole 82 at the bottom of shell 66. Tubing 70 terminates at plug S0. Typical connections of heating coil 72 and tubing 70 to steam sources, as well as the connection of tubing 68 to a vacuum source, and the control of these mechanisms by respective foot pedals, are well known to those skilled in the art.

A typical pressing sequence with the garment press of the invention is as follows. A garment is placed on stationary buck 12 as with a conventional press. Foot pedal 52 is operated, while the upper head is still raised, so that released steam aids the operator to straighten a badly wrinkled garment. Foot pedal S2 is then released and foot pedal is operated. The movable pressing head 10 cornes down with screen 16, which bridges the open underside of shell 14, bearing against pressing pad 20. With foot pedal 50 still operated, foot pedal 52 is operated once again, for approximately 3-4 seconds, to control the emission of steam into lower shell 66 and through pressing pad 20 and the garment. Foot pedal 52 is then released While foot pedal 50 is still operated. After approximately one second, foot pedal 54 is operated, along with foot pedal 50. Because the open underside of shell 14 is oversized in relation to the pressing pad to define an air-entry opening `bounding the pressing pad, ambient air is drawn into the upper shell and through the garment and pressing pad by the decreased pressure inside the stationary buck. The pressing temperature and pressure are sufficiently low such that air can be drawn through the garment while the upper head is closed without glazing the fabric surface, as opposed to what otherwise would happen in conventional pressing. After approximately 3 seconds of air flow, foot pedal 50 is released and pressing head 1I) rises. Foot pedal 54 remains operated for an additional 3 seconds to prevent lifting of the garment as the upper head is raised. Following release of foot pedal 54, the garment is removed or repositioned for another pressing sequence.

It is thus readily apparent that the garment press of the invention, while considerably simpler to manufacture and safer to use than those of the prior art, nevertheless allows garments to be pressed satisfactorily and can be used in entirely new applications. Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. For example, in a garment manufacturing press constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, air flow can be accomplished during the vacuum period by providing holes in the upper shell or whatever else is used to support the upper pressing surface. Preferably, these holes should be located over severly Contoured areas of the lower buck when the heads are closed to localize cooling and curing effects. Thus, numerous modifications may be made in the illustrative embodiment of the invention and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A garment press comprising a passive hollow upper head having a single downwardly facing opening therein, a pressing surface attached to and bridging said single opening of said upper head, an upwardly opening shell disposed below said upper head, a pressing pad attached to said shell across the opening thereof, means for lowering, said upper head to a position whereat said pressing surface bears against said pressing pad, the periphery of the outer rim of said upper head being larger than the periphery of the outer rim of said pressing pad to permit air flow from the marginal rim area of said pressing surface through said upper head and through said pressing pad when said pressing surface bears against said pressing pad with a garment therebetween, means for admitting steam into said shell, and means for establishing the pressure inside said shell below atmospheric.

2. A garment press in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upper head pressing surface is sufficiently llexible to allow intimate contact between said pressing surface and said pressing pad over the entire pressing surfaces thereof.

3. A garment press in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lowering means controls the bearing of said upper head pressing surface against said pressing pad with a force less than that which would prevent the hand of an operator placed therebetween to be withdrawn without the raising of said upper head.

4. A garment press in accordance with claim 1 further including a perforated metal plate disposed along the undersurface of said pressing pad and a heating coil disposed underneath said perforated metal plate in heat exchanging relation therewith.

5. A garment press in accordance with claim 4 wherein said heating coil heats said pressing pad to a temperature low enough, and said lowering means lowers said upper head with a force low enough, such that when the pressure inside said lower shell is below atmospheric air can flow without glazing the surface of a garment placed on said pressing pad.

6. A garment press in accordance with claim 1 further including means for heating said pressing pad, and wherein said pressing pad is heated to a temperature low enough, and said lowering means lowers said upper head with a force low enough, such that when the pressure inside said lower shell is below atmospheric air can flow without glazing the surface of a garment placed on said pressing pad.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,639,458 8/1927 Simpson 38--16 1,876,277 9/1932 Davis 38-16 2,488.22() lli/N49 lvlonsarrat 38-15 2,784,509 3/1957 Ketchum et al. 38-15 3,025,621 3/1962 Paulsen 38-15 3,193,952 7/1965 Schlemon 33-15 2,149,605 3/1939 Jones 38-16 2,703,939 3/1955 Clarke 38-41 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 38-144 

